The LA Galaxy and Columbus Crew squared off on Wednesday night and while it was an important match for both teams as they chase a playoff spot, the match wasn't at the forefront. Instead, the focus was on Kirk Urso, the Crew player who passed away at the age of 22. It was the Crew's first match since his death and with both teams wearing armbands and tributes throughout the stadium, that the two teams drew 1-1 felt like it almost went unnoticed at times.
Columbus Crew Vs. LA Galaxy, 2012 MLS: Teams Settle For 1-1 Draw
But the result did matter to the teams as the postseason creeps ever closer. The Galaxy were playing without Landon Donovan and David Beckham and in the first half, they looked very much like a shorthanded team. The Crew pummeled them and only heroics of Josh Saunders kept them level. They could have easily been up by as many as four or five goals if it wasn't for Saunders and some Galaxy fortune.
The Crew finally broke through right after the break thanks to some fine individual play by Jairo Arrieta. The Costa Rican cut in and through the LA defense before beating Saunders for the match’s opening tally.
Once they went down a goal, the Galaxy finally woke up, and after some better play, they equalized in the 64th minute. Sean Franklin did the bulk of the work on the play, skinning Dilly Duka before crossing for Robbie Keane to tap in and the match was level.
Later on, it actually looked like the Galaxy would be the team most likely to grab the winner and only an Andy Gruenebaum save of a blistering Jose Villarreal shot kept the visitors from grabbing all three points.
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